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Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant A Second World War Coastal Command operations D.F.C. grou...
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Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant
A Second World War Coastal Command operations D.F.C. group of six awarded to Squadron Leader J. B. 'Tubby' Ensor, Royal Air Force, a Hudson pilot in No. 500 (City of Kent) Squadron who was credited with a U-Boat 'kill' in November 1942
Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1943', in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, in their Air Ministry card forwarding box, with issuance slip, addressed to 'S./Ldr. J. B. Ensor, 17 York Rd., Northwood Hills, Middsx.', together with a Trent College swimming medal, dated 1931, and the recipient's embroidered 'Wings', generally good very fine (8)
D.F.C. London Gazette 16 February 1943:
'This officer has performed much operational flying, involving attacks on targets in enemy territory and anti-submarine patrols in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In December (sic), he attacked a submarine and destroyed it. This officer has always displayed great determination and devotion to duty.'
John Bernard Ensor was born at Hampton-in-Arden, Warwickshire on 19 September 1912 and was educated at Trent College, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire.
A pre-war regular - he was commissioned Pilot Officer in November 1938 - Ensor was decorated for his part in the destruction of the U-411 on 13 November 1942, a story which is recounted in Search Find and Kill, the R.A.F's U-Boat Successes in World War Two, by Norman Franks:
'Operating from Gibraltar, a U-Boat was observed five miles off and the aircraft [Hudson 'D', 500 Squadron, piloted by Ensor] dived and attacked from stern to bows. Four depth-charges were released from 50 feet which fell across the submarine, 150 yards ahead of the diving boat's swirl, 40 seconds after it got under. No results were seen.
U-411 had sunk eight ships. After her initial cruise from Kiel in August 1942, she had sailed from St. Nazaire on 7 November to patrol west of Gibraltar. She is believed to have been lost on or about 28 November but it is now understood to have been lost earlier, to this crew and aircraft, in the area of her patrol, position 3600/0935.
John Ensor received the D.F.C. for this attack.'
Having received his decoration at a Buckingham Palace investiture held in November 1943, Ensor appears to have undertaken a special mission to North Africa in early 1944; accompanying documentation suggests that he travelled in civilian attire as a 'Government official'.
He was released from the R.A.F. in the rank of Squadron Leader in April 1946.
Sold with a quantity of original documentation and related artefacts, including:
(i)
The recipient's Buckingham Palace investiture letter, dated 27 November 1943.
(ii)
His R.A.F. Service and Release Book.
(iii)
His British Passport, issued by the Foreign Office in January 1944, in the name of 'Mr. J. B. Ensor' and given profession as 'Government official'; together with R.A.F. Movement Control (Air) form, dated 24 January 1944, for 'Gib. - Castel Benito - Cairo.'
(iv)
A quantity of wartime silk 'evader's maps' (4), and 12 further maps of U.K.
(v)
A quantity of visiting cards in the name of 'Mr. J. B. Ensor, Royal Air Force'.
(vi)
The 1939-45 Star and War Medal awarded to a relative, C. D. Ensor, a soldier in the Royal Engineers, these in their named card box of issue, with related Record Office letters (2).
Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
A Second World War Coastal Command operations D.F.C. group of six awarded to Squadron Leader J. B. 'Tubby' Ensor, Royal Air Force, a Hudson pilot in No. 500 (City of Kent) Squadron who was credited with a U-Boat 'kill' in November 1942
Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1943', in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, in their Air Ministry card forwarding box, with issuance slip, addressed to 'S./Ldr. J. B. Ensor, 17 York Rd., Northwood Hills, Middsx.', together with a Trent College swimming medal, dated 1931, and the recipient's embroidered 'Wings', generally good very fine (8)
D.F.C. London Gazette 16 February 1943:
'This officer has performed much operational flying, involving attacks on targets in enemy territory and anti-submarine patrols in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In December (sic), he attacked a submarine and destroyed it. This officer has always displayed great determination and devotion to duty.'
John Bernard Ensor was born at Hampton-in-Arden, Warwickshire on 19 September 1912 and was educated at Trent College, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire.
A pre-war regular - he was commissioned Pilot Officer in November 1938 - Ensor was decorated for his part in the destruction of the U-411 on 13 November 1942, a story which is recounted in Search Find and Kill, the R.A.F's U-Boat Successes in World War Two, by Norman Franks:
'Operating from Gibraltar, a U-Boat was observed five miles off and the aircraft [Hudson 'D', 500 Squadron, piloted by Ensor] dived and attacked from stern to bows. Four depth-charges were released from 50 feet which fell across the submarine, 150 yards ahead of the diving boat's swirl, 40 seconds after it got under. No results were seen.
U-411 had sunk eight ships. After her initial cruise from Kiel in August 1942, she had sailed from St. Nazaire on 7 November to patrol west of Gibraltar. She is believed to have been lost on or about 28 November but it is now understood to have been lost earlier, to this crew and aircraft, in the area of her patrol, position 3600/0935.
John Ensor received the D.F.C. for this attack.'
Having received his decoration at a Buckingham Palace investiture held in November 1943, Ensor appears to have undertaken a special mission to North Africa in early 1944; accompanying documentation suggests that he travelled in civilian attire as a 'Government official'.
He was released from the R.A.F. in the rank of Squadron Leader in April 1946.
Sold with a quantity of original documentation and related artefacts, including:
(i)
The recipient's Buckingham Palace investiture letter, dated 27 November 1943.
(ii)
His R.A.F. Service and Release Book.
(iii)
His British Passport, issued by the Foreign Office in January 1944, in the name of 'Mr. J. B. Ensor' and given profession as 'Government official'; together with R.A.F. Movement Control (Air) form, dated 24 January 1944, for 'Gib. - Castel Benito - Cairo.'
(iv)
A quantity of wartime silk 'evader's maps' (4), and 12 further maps of U.K.
(v)
A quantity of visiting cards in the name of 'Mr. J. B. Ensor, Royal Air Force'.
(vi)
The 1939-45 Star and War Medal awarded to a relative, C. D. Ensor, a soldier in the Royal Engineers, these in their named card box of issue, with related Record Office letters (2).
Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
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Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant
A Second World War Coastal Command operations D.F.C. group of six awarded to Squadron Leader J. B. 'Tubby' Ensor, Royal Air Force, a Hudson pilot in No. 500 (City of Kent) Squadron who was credited with a U-Boat 'kill' in November 1942
Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1943', in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, in their Air Ministry card forwarding box, with issuance slip, addressed to 'S./Ldr. J. B. Ensor, 17 York Rd., Northwood Hills, Middsx.', together with a Trent College swimming medal, dated 1931, and the recipient's embroidered 'Wings', generally good very fine (8)
D.F.C. London Gazette 16 February 1943:
'This officer has performed much operational flying, involving attacks on targets in enemy territory and anti-submarine patrols in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In December (sic), he attacked a submarine and destroyed it. This officer has always displayed great determination and devotion to duty.'
John Bernard Ensor was born at Hampton-in-Arden, Warwickshire on 19 September 1912 and was educated at Trent College, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire.
A pre-war regular - he was commissioned Pilot Officer in November 1938 - Ensor was decorated for his part in the destruction of the U-411 on 13 November 1942, a story which is recounted in Search Find and Kill, the R.A.F's U-Boat Successes in World War Two, by Norman Franks:
'Operating from Gibraltar, a U-Boat was observed five miles off and the aircraft [Hudson 'D', 500 Squadron, piloted by Ensor] dived and attacked from stern to bows. Four depth-charges were released from 50 feet which fell across the submarine, 150 yards ahead of the diving boat's swirl, 40 seconds after it got under. No results were seen.
U-411 had sunk eight ships. After her initial cruise from Kiel in August 1942, she had sailed from St. Nazaire on 7 November to patrol west of Gibraltar. She is believed to have been lost on or about 28 November but it is now understood to have been lost earlier, to this crew and aircraft, in the area of her patrol, position 3600/0935.
John Ensor received the D.F.C. for this attack.'
Having received his decoration at a Buckingham Palace investiture held in November 1943, Ensor appears to have undertaken a special mission to North Africa in early 1944; accompanying documentation suggests that he travelled in civilian attire as a 'Government official'.
He was released from the R.A.F. in the rank of Squadron Leader in April 1946.
Sold with a quantity of original documentation and related artefacts, including:
(i)
The recipient's Buckingham Palace investiture letter, dated 27 November 1943.
(ii)
His R.A.F. Service and Release Book.
(iii)
His British Passport, issued by the Foreign Office in January 1944, in the name of 'Mr. J. B. Ensor' and given profession as 'Government official'; together with R.A.F. Movement Control (Air) form, dated 24 January 1944, for 'Gib. - Castel Benito - Cairo.'
(iv)
A quantity of wartime silk 'evader's maps' (4), and 12 further maps of U.K.
(v)
A quantity of visiting cards in the name of 'Mr. J. B. Ensor, Royal Air Force'.
(vi)
The 1939-45 Star and War Medal awarded to a relative, C. D. Ensor, a soldier in the Royal Engineers, these in their named card box of issue, with related Record Office letters (2).
Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
A Second World War Coastal Command operations D.F.C. group of six awarded to Squadron Leader J. B. 'Tubby' Ensor, Royal Air Force, a Hudson pilot in No. 500 (City of Kent) Squadron who was credited with a U-Boat 'kill' in November 1942
Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1943', in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, in their Air Ministry card forwarding box, with issuance slip, addressed to 'S./Ldr. J. B. Ensor, 17 York Rd., Northwood Hills, Middsx.', together with a Trent College swimming medal, dated 1931, and the recipient's embroidered 'Wings', generally good very fine (8)
D.F.C. London Gazette 16 February 1943:
'This officer has performed much operational flying, involving attacks on targets in enemy territory and anti-submarine patrols in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In December (sic), he attacked a submarine and destroyed it. This officer has always displayed great determination and devotion to duty.'
John Bernard Ensor was born at Hampton-in-Arden, Warwickshire on 19 September 1912 and was educated at Trent College, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire.
A pre-war regular - he was commissioned Pilot Officer in November 1938 - Ensor was decorated for his part in the destruction of the U-411 on 13 November 1942, a story which is recounted in Search Find and Kill, the R.A.F's U-Boat Successes in World War Two, by Norman Franks:
'Operating from Gibraltar, a U-Boat was observed five miles off and the aircraft [Hudson 'D', 500 Squadron, piloted by Ensor] dived and attacked from stern to bows. Four depth-charges were released from 50 feet which fell across the submarine, 150 yards ahead of the diving boat's swirl, 40 seconds after it got under. No results were seen.
U-411 had sunk eight ships. After her initial cruise from Kiel in August 1942, she had sailed from St. Nazaire on 7 November to patrol west of Gibraltar. She is believed to have been lost on or about 28 November but it is now understood to have been lost earlier, to this crew and aircraft, in the area of her patrol, position 3600/0935.
John Ensor received the D.F.C. for this attack.'
Having received his decoration at a Buckingham Palace investiture held in November 1943, Ensor appears to have undertaken a special mission to North Africa in early 1944; accompanying documentation suggests that he travelled in civilian attire as a 'Government official'.
He was released from the R.A.F. in the rank of Squadron Leader in April 1946.
Sold with a quantity of original documentation and related artefacts, including:
(i)
The recipient's Buckingham Palace investiture letter, dated 27 November 1943.
(ii)
His R.A.F. Service and Release Book.
(iii)
His British Passport, issued by the Foreign Office in January 1944, in the name of 'Mr. J. B. Ensor' and given profession as 'Government official'; together with R.A.F. Movement Control (Air) form, dated 24 January 1944, for 'Gib. - Castel Benito - Cairo.'
(iv)
A quantity of wartime silk 'evader's maps' (4), and 12 further maps of U.K.
(v)
A quantity of visiting cards in the name of 'Mr. J. B. Ensor, Royal Air Force'.
(vi)
The 1939-45 Star and War Medal awarded to a relative, C. D. Ensor, a soldier in the Royal Engineers, these in their named card box of issue, with related Record Office letters (2).
Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
Orders, Decorations and Medals
Sale Date(s)
Venue Address
67-69 Southampton Row
Bloomsbury
WC1B 4ET
London
WC1B 4ET
United Kingdom
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Important Information
SALEROOM NOTICES:
Lot 56: The recipient was also Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 1 January 1945, refers) and is sold together with her emblem.
Lot 285: Official replacements throughout
Lot 326: The Lot is now accompanied with the recipient’s original Memorial Scroll
Lot 373: Withdrawn. The Lot has been withdrawn from the Sale and has kindly been returned to the recipient by the vendor having been lost in 2015.
Lot 561: This lot is NOT subject to 5% import duty.
Lot 580: Print catalogue erroneously lists this item as lot 579
Lot 595:
Accompanied with an important original archive comprising;
- The recipient’s identity tag worn at Goose Green
- Parachute Regiment No. 2 Dress with General Service riband and belt, the first named
- A poignant painted tile depicting the recipient with his tours of Northern Ireland either side
- Three British Army football trophies
Two Regimental ties
Lot 648: The set comprises a 1st Class Badge and 2nd Class Star
Lot 670: Withdrawn
Lot 754: Sold as viewed
Lot 791: Centre depressed and loose but still present. Revised estimate £70 - £90
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